Bangor

John Ballou Award

First Circuit Judge Kermit Lipez presented the John W. Ballou Distinguished Service Award to U.S. District Judge Conrad Cyr at the Maine State Bar Association’s recent annual meeting. It is the most prestigious award the 3,000-member organization presents each year.

Lipez recalled that “John Ballou was an extraordinary individual – a visionary leader of the Maine bar and the city of Bangor, a gifted trial lawyer, an accomplished actor, and a man who cared deeply about the access to justice issues that have been a focus of today’s Bar Association meeting.”

Both Cyr and Ballou rose to prominence in the Bangor legal community where their paths crossed from time to time, including in the federal courtroom where Ballou tried cases before Cyr.

“Not surprisingly,” Lipez said, “John came away from those experiences with great admiration for your judicial skills. Judge Woodcock remembers one occasion when John came back to the office at the completion of a difficult product liability case marveling at your ability to conduct a brilliant seminar on the law of product liability while working through the jury instructions with counsel.

“I am sure that John would be pleased that you are receiving this award named in his honor.”

Cyr, recalling more humble memories, said, “Nothing can compare to the warmth and reception extended to Diana and me here today. Thank you, my friends, and au revoir.”

Art exhibit at Husson

Husson College is host of an exhibit of paintings by abstract artist Emily Hopkins at the White Gallery in Peabody Hall. An opening reception for “Acts of Nature” is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 9.

Hopkins is known for her bold color and gestural expressions of nature.

Born in Connecticut, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York City.

After spending many years painting in New York City, Hopkins moved to Maine in order to raise her two children.

Her work also will be in a show at the Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education in Rockland, starting Saturday, April 5.

Sleep Awareness Week

In celebration of National Sleep Awareness Week, the St. Joseph Healthcare Center for Sleep Medicine will hold an open house 4-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at its 268 Center St. location.

In addition to tours of the center, guests can watch a live demonstration of a sleep test, enjoy refreshments and giveaways and enter to win a free sleep test.

Questionnaires will be available to determine if you could benefit from a sleep test.

If your partner has ever complained about your snoring or if you’ve ever stopped breathing while you were sleeping, you might be a good candidate for a sleep test.

Sleep tests are available Sunday through Friday. Some Saturday appointments also are available.